Building Bolger Bobcat

I have a question for those of you who have built the Bolger Bobcat. Did
you leave the entire top of the centerboard trunk open? Or did you put a
cover on the part that is under the deck? Or if you didn't cover it, do you
now wish you had, or vice versa?
For those of you with whom I've corresponded in the past, yes, I am finally
just now getting to this point.
Progress was slow or non-existent for a while due to family obligations
etc., but I now hope to have her in the water this next summer.
Jack Niewoehner.....working in the warm workshop while the winter winds
whistle ;-)